Jakarta – The 10th World Water Forum, which took place from May 18-25, 2024, in Nusa Dua, Bali, produced a Ministerial Declaration covering three main points and launched 113 water projects with a total value of USD 9.4 billion. The Declaration was unveiled at the end of the Ministerial Meeting attended by 106 countries and 27 international organizations.
In this forum, Indonesia also compiled a list of water-related projects that are the mainstay of various countries, including the acceleration of drinking water supply for 3 million households and domestic wastewater management for 300 thousand households.
Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) and the Daily Chairperson of the National Organizing Committee of the 10th World Water Forum, Basuki Hadimuljono, explained that this declaration was a victory of diplomacy for Indonesia.
“As an archipelagic country, Indonesia must be at the forefront of encouraging innovation in water and sanitation management. This centre of excellence is not only for Indonesia but also for other Asian Pacific countries,” Basuki said in an official statement at the 10th World Water Forum Media Center at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), quoted Wednesday, May 22.
One of the points of the Ministerial Declaration is establishing a centre of excellence for water and climate resilience to develop capacity, knowledge sharing, and utilization of superior facilities. The second point is to raise and encourage the issue of integrated water resources management on small islands.
“Although surrounded by vast waters, Indonesia still needs a good management system to overcome the challenges of clean water quality and availability,” Basuki said.
World Water Council (WWC) President Loic Fauchon emphasized that the whole process was a triumph of diplomacy for Indonesia. The declaration is expected to enhance international cooperation in water resources management and provide tangible benefits to people worldwide. (Hartatik)
